Golf putting aid

ABSTRACT

A golf ball spotting, putter guiding and back-stroke determining aid for practice use indoors on a carpeted surface or outdoors on a putting green characterized by a pair of structurally unique coplanar flat-faced guide members having confronting spaced parallel straight edges. Assembling and coordinating strap or equivalent means is detachably and adjustably connected to marginal edges of the respective guide members in a manner to define and maintain an open-ended channel-like guideway between the companion straight edges. This guideway is bordered by suitably calibrated ball and putter positioning scales which, in conjunction with an adjustable limit stop abutment, enables the user to better acquire, generally stated, the knowledge and fine points required to determine the back-stroke needed and to thus cause the captive ball to travel a predetermined distance. One guide member is such in construction that the user can retain his basic putting stance and the relationship between the ball and its spotted locale relative to his established lead foot. Specifically, a U-shaped cutout or recess is provided in the one guide member to permit the user&#39;&#39;s shoes to be properly positioned relative to the ball to be putted. A limit stop member is detachably mounted on either of spaced, parallel planar surfaces of the guide members for providing a gauge to further aid the putter. By permitting attachment of the limit stop member to either of these planar surfaces, the aid can be adapted for either left-handed or right-handed golfers. Advantageously, a plurality of sockets are provided in the guide members for receiving pins provided on the limit stop member to achieve the aforementioned selective mounting of the limit stop member.

United States Patent 1 1 Taylor Jan. 14, 1975 GOLF PUTTING AID [76] Inventor: Herbert R. Taylor, 2822 Chestnut St., Montgomery, Ala. 36107 22 Filed: July 25,1973

21 Appl. No.: 382,448

[52] US. Cl 273/186 C, 273/192, 273/187 A [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search 273/192, 186, 187, 183, 273/191 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,790,642 4/1957 Rolfe 273/187 R 2,894,755 7/1959 Scelzo 273/192 3,041,075 6/1962 Taylor 273/187 R 3,244,421 4/1966 Hanna 273/187 R Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harvey B. Jacobson; Clarence A. OBrien [57] ABSTRACT A golf ball spotting, putter guiding and back-stroke determining aid for practice use indoors on a carpeted surface or outdoors on a putting green characterized by a pair of structurally unique coplanar flat-faced guide members having confronting spaced parallel straight edges. Assembling and coordinating strap or equivalent means is detachably and adjustably connected to marginal edges of the respective guide members in a manner to define and maintain an openended channel-like guideway between the companion straight edges. This guideway is bordered by suitably calibrated ball and putter positioning scales which, in conjunction with an adjustable limit stop abutment, enables the user to better acquire, generally stated, the knowledge and fine points required to determine the back-stroke needed and to thus cause the captive ball to travel a predetermined distance. One guide member is such in construction that the user can retain his basic putting stance and the relationship between the ball and its spotted locale relative to his established lead foot. Specifically, a U-shaped cutout or recess is provided in the one guide member to permit the users shoes to be properly positioned relativeto the ball to be putted. A limit stop member is detachably mounted on either of spaced, parallel planar surfaces of the guide members for providing a gauge to further aid the putter. By permitting attachment of the limit stop member to either of these planar surfaces,

the aid can be adapted for either left-handed or righthanded golfers. Advantageously, a plurality of sockets are provided in the guide members for receiving pins provided on the limit stop member to achieve the 1 aforementioned selective mounting of the limit stop member.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JAN I 4 I975 GOLF PUTTING All) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a portable knockdown golf ball spotting, confined putter guiding, back-stroke checking and determining device which is such that the user is enabled to analyze, practice, teach himself know his own putting capabilities, and progressively learn the art of reliable putting. It is simple in construction, easy to understand and use, and structurally such that, once it is set up for use, there are no movable parts to cope with.

More particularly, the device is made up of coordinating component parts which are such that the ball, putter head and the users feet are effectually interrelated on the putting surface for controlled use, the putter head being located squarely behind the ball at all times. The putter does not ride, slide or otherwise intentionally contact surfaces of the device and, because the device is reversible, it lends itself to use by both left-handed and right-handed golfers.

Keeping in mind that proper alignment is of the utmost of importance for acceptable putting the disclosed invention features one guide member or unit which is an innovation in that it embodies a properly proportioned and situated cutout which not only permits contact of the golfers feet with the foundation surface but enables him to assume a putting stance which, as a result of trail and error usage, will enable him to not only poise himself advantageously but will improve his putting game for competitive gratification. To the ends desired, the over-all adaptation is stable and constructed for good performance and reliable serviceability, and aptly lends itself to accommodation of any size putter blade ranging from 2% inches to 7 inches in length and once the correct adjustment is established, it stays put and ready for repeated usage.

Portable putting guides for use in ascertaining and gauging the backstroke and which are designed to improve putting needs are of many and structurally varying types. As exemplary of the state of the art to which the invention relates attention, if desired, may be directed to the putting guide disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,750,195 granted to Harry Ching. As having a closer bearing, structurally and functionally,'on the instant invention but nevertheless nonanalogous is the golf practicing device revealed in US. Pat. No. 2,894,755 granted to Frank Scelzo, Jr. A less complicated but generally applicable adaptation is disclosed in the golf putting aid, U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,688 granted to Harold Gevertz. It is submitted that these several prior reference patents reveal, generally stated, the background of the art to which the instant invention relates. Further particulars are deemed to be unnecessary here.

Briefly the herein disclosed concept is characterized, broadly speaking, by frame means which, in turn, embodies a first elongated guide member, a second correspondingly elongated guide member coplanar with said first guide member, these two guide members having opposed spaced inwardly disposed and confronting parallel straight-edges. These frame members are interrelated and united by assembling and coordinating means separably and adjustably connecting and maintaining the two guide members in coacting relationship and, in so doing, providing a uniform channel-like guideway, that is, an open-ended guideway between the respective straight edges. This guideway functions to accommodatingly encompass a manually placed or set golf ball which is spotted in a predetermined position, and also the head of the conventional type putter. The guideway is closedat one end by the interconnecting means and unobstructedly open at the opposite ball discharging end. Limit stop means, that is, a manually applicable and removable abutment is detachably and adjustably mounted atop the two guide members and bridges a median portion of the guideway. The stop means serves to permit the user to observe and determine the distance between the ball and the putter head and also serves to enable the user to plan and gauge the back-stage deemed to be appropriate and with a view toward causing the ball to travel a predetermined distance when struck.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a golf putting aid constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the component parts or guide members linked adjustably together to provide the guideway and also showing the attachable and detachable and extensible putter head limit stop gauge or abutment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken through the median portion of the device appearing in FIG. 1 and detailing the construction of the limit stop abutment.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ready-to-use device as depicted in FIG. 1 and which includes the golf ball, the putter and shows how the special performing guide member provides a placement cut-out for the shoes of the user.

FIG. 4 is a view on a smaller scale also in plan and showing how the device can be inverted or reversed for use by a left-handed putter.

With reference now to the views of the drawing-the aforementioned portable and sectional frame means is made up of component parts which are constructed. from appropriate material and which when assembled take the position shown with particularity in FIGS. 1 and 3. The aforementioned first elongated guide member is denoted by the numeral 6 and a complemental or second guide member is denoted, as a unit, by the numeral 8.

- The first guide member is flat-faced, having top and bottom flat or planar surfaces 10 and 12, said member being substantially rectangular and suitably elongated in plan. One outward lengthwise marginal edge is denoted at 14 and the inward marginal straight-edge is denoted by the numeral 16. The transversemarginal edge at the right in FIG. 1 is denoted by the numeral 18 and the one at the left by the numeral 20. It will be noted that the top and bottom surfaces are provided with indicating scales which are properly calibrated or graduated, the overall scale being denoted conveniently by the numeral 22 in FIG. 1.-In actual practice the scale could be some 12 inches in length, being confined to the median part of the straight-edge 12. In addition and coacting with the graduations keeper pin sockets or holes are provided as at 24, these being used in the manner evident in FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular.

The second guide member which is in a plane common with the plane of the first guide member is substantially U-shaped in plan and has planar top and bottom surfaces and, like the first member is reversible and can be converted from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 4 depending on whether the user is a right-handed golfer or a left-handed golfer, as the case may be. The top surface in FIG. 1 is denoted by the numeral 26 and the bottom surface is denoted by the numeral 28. One marginal edge portion, the one at the right in FIG. 1 is denoted by the numeral 30 and the one at the left is denoted by the numeral 32. The inward lengthwise straight-edge is denoted by the numeral 34 and is opposed to the aforementioned edge 12 to provide the intervening channel-like guide-way. In this arrangement the calibrated scale is conveniently designated, generally stated, by the numeral 34 and the coacting keeper pin holes or sockets are denoted at 36. Whereas the guide member 6 comprises a simple rectangular panel the guide unit 8 is substantially U-shaped in plan and in addition to the features described is characterized as having a cut-out or recess which is denoted at 38 andwhich serves to accommodate the shoes or feet of the wearer in the manner shown in FIG. 3. As also shown in FIG. 3 the edge which extends lengthwise and is toed by the shoes is denoted by the numeral 40, the coacting right-angularly disposed forward and rearward edges being denoted at 42 and 44 respectively.

The linking and assembling means for the guide units is denoted by the numeral 46 and preferably comprises a rigid strap member or connecting link 48. This member is provided with spaced elongated slots 50 which serve to accommodate the attaching, adjusting and retaining fasteners 52. These fasteners are secured to the aforementioned marginal edges 18 and 30 as brought out with particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3. This strap and link means serves not only to interconnect and unify the guide members, it permits said members to be adjusted to vary the width of the aforementioned guideway. The median portion of the strap bridges the guideway and it is thus closed at the right-hand end while it is unobstructedly open at the left-hand end to permit discharge of the golf ball 54 (FIG. 3).

The aforementioned limit stop and abutment means is designated by the numeral 56 and-it bridges the me dian portion of the guideway Since this means is preferably extensible and contractible for adjustment needs it is preferably constructed of rigid sheet material of the construction shown in FIG. 2 wherein it will be observed that one channel-shaped member is provided at the left as denoted at 58 and a companion channel member at 60. These channel members are constructed so that they telescope and can be adjusted lengthwise to position the integral depending keeper pins 62 and 64 (FIG. 2). The lower end portions of the pins are adapted to be insertably fitted into the coacting sockets or keeper pin holes whereby to thus detachably but retentively position the limit stop or abutment means. This means is shown in one position in FIGS. 1 and 2 to accommodate the head 66 of the putter.

It is believed that the views of the drawing construed singly and collectively clearly show the construction and coordinate association of the guide members 6 and 8 and how they function in conjunction with each other and also how they accommodate the assembling and adjusting strap 46 and the limit stop abutment means When using the disclosed invention, it will help to properly adjust the component parts to accommodate the putter head and attain the requisite one-fourth inch clearance. The limit stop abutment means should be selectively set in keeping with the positioning and measuring scales. Place the toes of the shoes /2 inch to 1 inch from the confining edges of the cut-out or recess in the manner illustrated. Usually, there ought to be about an 8 inches space between the shoes. Place the ball in front of the ball line just inside the left foot (or right foot) if left-handed. It is improper to look at the ball and advisable to keep an eye on and watch the putter head on the back-stroke. Keep the putter head square and level at all times. Avoid striking contact with the encompassing surfaces. The putting stroke should be crisp, but not hard. If the limit stop abutment means is located at the 3 inches mark, the ball can be expected to travel approximately 4 feet to 6 feet depending on the applied putting stroke. If practicing from the 5 inches mark the ball should travel approximtely 10 feet to 12 feet. On a putt longer than 12 to 15 feet, rely on thinking distance only. On uphill putts increase the backstroke to compensate for distance. On downhill putts, hit the ball with toe of the putting head or blade. Experimental practice will .I

achieve the putting results desired.

It is believed that a studied consideration of the views of the drawing in conjunction with the descriptionthereof will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding not only of the construction and association of the component parts but the character of the end product and features and advantages attained when it is properly set up and used.- Accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shownand described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For putting practice by a golfer, a portable putting aid designed and adapted for use indoors atop a carpet-. covered surface and outdoors on a putting green comprising, in combination:

a. a first guide member elongated and rectangular in plan, having a pair of spaced, parallel planar surfaces, a longitudinal straight-edge, andtransverse gitudinal straight-edge .arranged in spaced opposed, parallel relationship with respect to the straight-edge of the first guide member, the second guide member further being provided with a recess arranged spaced from the coextensive with the straight-edges for accommodating the shoes of feet of user of the putting aid;

c. assembling and coordinating means including a rigid strap member connected to the first and sec ond guide members along one corresponding transverse marginal edge thereof for separably uniting and maintaining the guide members in coacting relationship and providing a uniform channel-like guideway between the straight-edges, the guideway arranged for accommodating a golf ball in a manually set position and the head of a putter in readyto-putt relationship, the arrangement of the strap member closing the guideway at one end thereof and permitting the guideway to be unobstructedly open at its opposite, ball discharging end;

(1. limit stop means for permitting a user to observe and determine the distance between the ball and putter head and serving to plan and gauge the back-stroke required to cause the ball to travel a predetermined distance when putted; and

e. retaining means provided on both planar surfaces of the first and second guide members for selectively mounting the limit stop means in a desired position on a selected pair of planar surfaces of the guide members.

2. The putting aid defined in claim 1, and wherein said limit stop means is usable only when needed and is extensible and contractible to function properly in conjunction with said assembling and uniting means.

3. The putting aid defined in claim 1, and wherein the straight-edged portions of said guide members are provided on adjacent portions of both surfaces with calibrated indicating scales and longitudinally spaced sockets, said sockets providing keeper-pin holes, and the companion end portions of said limit stop means having fixed depending keeper pins capable of being selectively positioned and temporarily retained in their respectively cooperable keeper-pin holes.

4. The putting aid defined in claim 3, and wherein said limit stop means is bodily attachable and detachable, is manually and shiftably adjustable, is longitudinally extensible and retractable and comprises telescopingly connected channel-shaped sections.

5. The putting aid defined in claim 4, and wherein said cut-out portion is of a size and shape for receiving and accommodating the shoes of the golfer so that the golfer can stand directly atop the putting surface and retain his basic putting stance and also achieve the correct relationship between the spotted golf ball and its I location relative to said putter and his lead foot. 

1. For putting practice by a golfer, a portable putting aid designed and adapted for use indoors atop a carpet-covered surface and outdoors on a putting green comprising, in combination: a. a first guide member elongated and rectangular in plan, having a pair of spaced, parallel planar surfaces, a longitudinal straight-edge, and transverse left and right marginal endds; b. a second guide member arranged in a common plane with the first guide member, the second guide member being substantially U-shaped in plan and provided with spaced, parallel, planar surfaces, left and right transverse marginal edges, and a longitudinal straight-edge arranged in spaced opposed, parallel relationship with respect to the straight-edge of the first guide member, the second guide member further being provided with a recess arranged spaced from the coextensive with the straight-edges for accommodating the shoes of feet of user of the putting aid; c. assembling and coordinating means including a rigid strap member connected to the first and second guide members along one corresponding transverse marginal edge thereOf for separably uniting and maintaining the guide members in coacting relationship and providing a uniform channel-like guideway between the straight-edges, the guideway arranged for accommodating a golf ball in a manually set position and the head of a putter in ready-to-putt relationship, the arrangement of the strap member closing the guideway at one end thereof and permitting the guideway to be unobstructedly open at its opposite, ball discharging end; d. limit stop means for permitting a user to observe and determine the distance between the ball and putter head and serving to plan and gauge the back-stroke required to cause the ball to travel a predetermined distance when putted; and e. retaining means provided on both planar surfaces of the first and second guide members for selectively mounting the limit stop means in a desired position on a selected pair of planar surfaces of the guide members.
 2. The putting aid defined in claim 1, and wherein said limit stop means is usable only when needed and is extensible and contractible to function properly in conjunction with said assembling and uniting means.
 3. The putting aid defined in claim 1, and wherein the straight-edged portions of said guide members are provided on adjacent portions of both surfaces with calibrated indicating scales and longitudinally spaced sockets, said sockets providing keeper-pin holes, and the companion end portions of said limit stop means having fixed depending keeper pins capable of being selectively positioned and temporarily retained in their respectively cooperable keeper-pin holes.
 4. The putting aid defined in claim 3, and wherein said limit stop means is bodily attachable and detachable, is manually and shiftably adjustable, is longitudinally extensible and retractable and comprises telescopingly connected channel-shaped sections.
 5. The putting aid defined in claim 4, and wherein said cut-out portion is of a size and shape for receiving and accommodating the shoes of the golfer so that the golfer can stand directly atop the putting surface and retain his basic putting stance and also achieve the correct relationship between the spotted golf ball and its location relative to said putter and his lead foot. 